The events will be played in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and are being viewed by some as an offset to the threat posed by the Super Golf League being financed by the Saudi Arabian regime and its commissioner, Greg Norman, which is trying to lure away the world’s best players with promises of enormous signing bonuses and guaranteed cash.

With a strong international field and a par-3 15th hole designed to eventually challenge the 16th at the Phoenix Open for fun and decibels, the Houston Open experience is sure to be more exciting than the next Houston Texans touchdown.

After first touting a worldwide tour some 30 years ago and more recently stirring up rumors and concern-of not fears, Greg Norman has surfaced and is taking bites and bytes of space and time on all forms of media.

About 30 miles south of Lakeville, Minnesota, lies the Montgomery National Golf Club, featuring eight water hazards (penalty areas) and tree-lined fairways. It also features a yellow submarine, a guitar-shaped bunker that is 50 yards long and a photo of the Fab Four on the wall behind the pro shop counter.

Writing for GOLF magazine, Josh Sens shared 10 tips for handling the autumn leaves (of green and gold) as presented by Ken Benoit, a longtime member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

In a span of 10 years, the LPGA’s Founders Cup tournament has raised almost $4 million for the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program. As a result, Girls Golf has added 34 events and stimulated growth for the game of golf, and, in particular, the rapid growth in participation by girls and young women.

Almost weekly, there are one-day tournaments on one of our local courses, with ribbons, medals or trophies awarded for individual and team play. I'll establish communication with area coaches and checking school websites so as to maximize coverage of our local golfers.

To what extent the absence of fan support impacted play by the Europeans at the Ryder Cup, no one can be certain; but, to the man, their team members made mention of how much they missed the typical tit-for-tat chants and songs that usually are a part of the three-day event.

Samuel J. Ryder never played on a Ryder Cup team. Indeed, the golfer who stands atop the Ryder Cup trophy is not, in fact, even modeled after the man it honors. More on that later; right now, a look at the European player lineup.

While not a no-name group, the 12 players who will represent the United States in the biannual battle against Europe are not entirely a collection of household names.

I will stop short of saying that the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship and FedEx Cup finale was boring; saying that it was less than exciting feels less judgmental and sufficiently accurate.

Think of a good, even great, player in that sport, male or female. Now, refine that thought specifically to identify an outstanding player, star or superstar, who clearly relishes (or relished) living in the spotlight. You likely either like (love) that player or dislike (hate) that player.

Explaining the FedEx Cup playoff rules heading into the Tour Championship in a few weeks is just about as difficult as explaining pass interference, especially to non-golfers.

Former Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose was sitting pretty in 115th position of the top 125 to make the postseason, virtually assured of qualifying for the three upcoming playoff dates and their massive paydays. Then, Rose three-putted his final hole: Rose dropped to 126 and Chesson Hadley moved to 125.

More than 80 golfers with handicap indexes of 8.4 or less took on the venerable Galveston Country Club course, including players from Galveston, Texas City, Santa Fe, Dickinson, Friendswood and League City.

"We hope that fans of golf will come out and watch these fabulous amateurs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning," Galveston Country Club President Bob Senter said. "We are proud to represent Galveston Island and Galveston County for this prestigious event. The competitors will tee off beginning at 8:30 a.m. all three days, and there is no fee for spectators."

It is understandable that some golfers decided the fierce protocol was not worth it, and opted out of competition. It should be interesting and insightful to hear what those who chose to endure it all to play in front of no fans, with no money to win, have to say about the importance of chasing a gold medal.

The 149th Open Championship is in the books. Next year, the 150th will be played on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. Let me be among the first to wonder whether Tiger Woods will be able to participate. Meanwhile, here are a few parting shots from Sandwich, England. Hold the mayo!

All MLB baseballs are created the same; therefore, hitters and fielders are all totally responsible for what their arms and bats can make the ball do. Wouldn’t it be interesting if all golfers — at least those who are professionals, that is — used a single ball?